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HPPNK 2025 draws over 300,000 visitors, RM76 Million in sales, boosts Sabah's agro potential

HPPNK 2025 draws over 300,000 visitors, RM76 Million in sales, boosts Sabah's agro potential

Borneo Post11 hours ago
Mohamad Sabu (centre) speaking at the press conference. Arthur is at left.
KOTA KINABALU (Aug 6): The National Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen's Day (HPPNK) 2025 held in Sabah on August 1-3 has significantly boosted the state's profile in the agriculture sector, drawing over 300,000 visitors and generating more than RM76 million in sales.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the event — held in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of HPPNK — attracted strong participation from 130 agro-based entrepreneurs and drew visitors from Sarawak, Brunei, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
'This year's event is a testament to Sabah's growing role in the nation's agri-food sector. We've seen tremendous interest and economic impact,' he said during a press conference on Sunday.
Among the wide array of products showcased were local snacks, cooking pastes, frozen goods, traditional drinks, herbal and botanical items, agricultural inputs and Sabah-grown coffee.
Mohamad Sabu also announced that 14 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and strategic agreements had been involving a total of RM526 million in investments across the agriculture, fisheries and energy sectors.
He confirmed that his ministry will host the Malaysia Agricultural, Horticulture and Agrotourism Exhibition (MAHA) next year, alongside a smaller-scale version of HPPNK, in view of this year's milestone celebration.
'Now, we are seeing more people, especially the youth, becoming successful in agriculture. My ministry will continue efforts to show them this can be a lucrative and fulfilling field,' he said, adding that more youths from Sabah are entering the industry and inspiring others.
In his speech earlier, Mohamad Sabu outlined four key focus areas of HPPNK 2025, aimed at driving structural and cultural shifts in Malaysia's agriculture sector: 1. Agro Millennia – Designed to empower youth through education, training, career development, and access to government support including grants and entrepreneurial guidance. 2. Sufficient and Guaranteed – Focused on strengthening the agro-food ecosystem through technology and sustainable practices to boost productivity and food security. 3. Madani Prosperity – Emphasising the central role of farmers, breeders and fishermen in domestic production to reduce reliance on imports.
4. Sales and Entrepreneurship – A strategic platform to promote local agro-food products and expand market reach, including international exposure.
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